The Slippery Rock School District's disciplinary problems dealing with student dress code violations merit a serious discussion about the possibility of requiring school uniforms.

Such a discussion and such a possibility might provide more incentive for students to comply with the current code. That discussion, coupled with the almost-certain opposition by most of the district's student population, might wake up parents to the need for more of their attention being directed toward how their children dress for school — and to ensure that there are no clothes-changes after their children leave home in the morning.

It was the Rev. Michael Scheer, board president, who brought up the school-uniform issue at a meeting on Monday. Considering the controversial nature of the issue, it was no surprise that other board members withheld immediate comment.

But Scheer asked administrators to gather information about uniforms and bring that information to future board meetings. The next board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. March 26 at the Slippery Rock Middle School.

With the issue on the table, the board should conduct a well-thought-out discussion about the merits and drawbacks of a school-uniform policy. On Monday, Superintendent Lee Beaton said there were benefits to requiring students to wear uniforms, but said she personally had no preference either way in regard to such a policy.

Assistant Superintendent Kathy Nogay noted the controversy such a proposal triggered in her former district, Hermitage, before the idea was dropped.

At the height of discussion by the Hermitage district, Nogay said, 300 to 400 people were attending board meetings.

Scheer's suggestion likely will trigger similar interest before the issue is decided. But the board should not shy away from the discussion simply because it might stir up controversy.

"I'm not endorsing it, and I'm not against it," Scheer said at Monday's session. He said he thought it was worth discussion.

There is nothing wrong with constructive dialogue.

If the district is in fact being forced to address a significant number of dress code violations, it is the right time for a uniform-policy discussion to take place.

The district should enforce the current dress code or repeal it.

That applies to all district policies.

While a requirement for school uniforms would not be looked upon kindly by many students and parents, it could be a source of money savings for families, and result in fewer conflicts between students and parents about how students should dress for school.

As Beaton pointed out, requiring uniforms takes a lot of pressure off children whose families cannot afford the latest casual fashions.

The uniforms issue currently is in the early discussion phase. It could end quickly if the school board votes to reaffirm its support for the current policy as written.

Such an outcome is more likely if all students take their dress-code responsibilities seriously and strive to comply with the code.

A part of children growing up and being in school is learning how to follow rules.

The Slippery Rock School District's dress code is a set of rules that should be followed.